Dollu Kunitha (dance), is a major popular drum dance of Karnataka. Accompanied by singing, it provides spectacular variety and complexity of skills. Woven around the presiding deity of Beereshwara or Beeralingeswara, chiefly worshipped by the Kuruba Gowdas of Karnataka and also called Halumathasthas, it presents both entertainment and spiritual edification. This expressive literature in its oral tradition goes by the legend called 'Halumatha Purana' or Kuruba Purana. The story is that the demon Dolla-asura worshiped Shiva devotedly and, when Shiva appeared before him, asked him to ask for a boon; that he should be able to swallow Shiva himself, or else he requests immortality which Shiva refuses so that the enraged Dollu swallows Shiva. Shiva started growing big. The asura, unable to bear the pain, pleaded Shiva to come out. Shiva tore open the demon, thus killing him ,and came out. Shiva used the skin of the asura to make a dollu/drum and gave it to the rustics, his devotees, the “Halu Kurubas”. The “Halu Kuruba” tribes in shimogga follow this tradition even today.

Veeragase is to be performed only by the Jangama also called Maheshwaras - clan of Veerashaiva/Lingayat community. The performers of Veeragase are also called Lingadevaru. The dancers put on a white traditional headgear and a bright red coloured dress. They also adorn themselves with a necklace made of Rudraksha beads, a hip-belt called rudra muke, an ornament resembling a snake and worn around the neck called Nagabharana and anklets.[3] The dancers smear vibhooti on their foreheads, ears and eyebrows. They carry a wooden plaque of Lord Veerabhadra in their left hand and a sword in their right hand.Female artists do not traditionally perform this art,but females have started to be a part of stage performance of non-religious nature which merely as a folk dance

In Puja Kunitha dance, the emphasis is more on the visual presentation than the oral narration. Here the spectacular exhibition of colourful bamboo structure is ably matched by the skilful body movements. It is prevalent in Bangalore and Mandya districts of Karnataka State.